Downpatrick frozen out by bold Annalong Swifts in Dalzell Cup

25 November 2015

A STIRRING fightback from Annalong warmed the cockles of the heart at a bitterly cold Bear Park, Newcastle, on Saturday to book their place in the Bobby Dalzell Cup final.

Alan Henning’s side looked to be on their way out as they trailed an experienced Downpatrick seconds side 2-1, but goals in the 66th minute from Matthew McConnell and another from Stevie Burden 11 minutes later were good enough to put Annalong through to their first Christmas final since 1999.

Annalong started like a house on fire and the tricky McConnell worked his way down the left flank before crossing for Darren Hylands to tuck the ball past Johnny Holland in the fifth minute.

Downpatrick didn’t look unduly worried and set about cancelling this early goal out, the equaliser coming nine minutes later via the penalty spot from Conail Kerr after Paul Grant had bundled into Frank Starkey in the box.

Downpatrick were now in control and they should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when Shane Matheson got on the end of a cross from Kerr, but his header was well saved by David Fitzpatrick.

Peter Telford was on to the rebound in a flash, but his effort from close in was deflected for a corner.

Ciaran Evans fired the ball into the mix from the ensuing set piece, but Starkey’s header was cleared off the line.

Two minutes later, Matheson carved out an opening for Conor Curran, but Fitzpatrick again saved well and Gareth Graham was on hand to hoof the ball clear.

Downpatrick were building up a nice head of steam and eventually took the lead in the 30th minute.

Peter Turley threaded a perfect through ball into the path of Telford, but he was felled by Grant on the edge of the box.

Evans’ free kick was saved by the ‘keeper, but Matheson swooped to steer the ball into an empty net.

As the half drew to a close Matheson went close to making it 3-1 when he wasn’t too far away after Turley had done the spade work.

The second half started with Annalong on the attack, but Holland denied Hyland with a smart save in the 52nd minute.

Both sides then lost a player each when Curran and Hyland received their marching orders after an altercation out on the far sideline.

Curran’s loss to Downpatrick had a dramatic effect as Neil Young’s side simply lost their way and Annalong assumed control.

Starkey wasted a glorious chance for Downpatrick before Annalong equalised in the 66th minute when McConnell took advantage of a series of defensive errors to make it 2-2.

Annalong’s tails were up, but Downpatrick were desperately unlucky not to regain the lead when a screamer of a free kick from Kerr hit the underside of the crossbar and flew to safety. That was as good as it got for Downpatrick as Annalong finished the game in style.

Another defensive howler from Downpatrick in the 77th minute gift wrapped the game to Annalong when they allowed Burden to tuck the ball home after a Mark Newell shot wasn’t dealt with.

Downpatrick tried to get back on level terms, but they failed to create anything of note as Annalong went through to the Boxing Day showpiece decider where they will face either Mourne Rovers or Ballyvea.

Annalong will fear neither side if they can repeat this display.

Annalong Swifts: D Fitzpatrick, G Graham, G Forsythe, P. Grant, A Nugent, P Heelham, M McConnell, R Gordon, D Hyland, S Burden, M Newell. Subs: J Gilchrist, W Forsythe, R Burden, W Ochiltree, A Henning.

Downpatrick Athletic: J Holland, R Fitzpatrick, C Kerr, S Sloan, K Gracey, P Turley, S Matheson, C Curran, P Telford, F Starkey, C Evans. Subs: G Trueman, N Young, P Kerr.

Annalong Swifts 3

Downpatrick Athletic FC 2

BOBBY DALZELL SEMI-FINAL

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